Britain to take back toxic waste

A British environmental official says the U.K. plans to take back more than 1,000 tons of toxic waste shipped to Brazil in containers marked as recyclable plastic.

Liz Parks, the head of waste for Britain's Environment Agency, told the BBC Sunday that arrangements are being made for the waste to be returned. She said it could take a number of weeks to get the waste back to Britain.

The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources said the containers contained domestic and hospital waste, including batteries, used syringes, condoms, old medicine and soiled diapers.

The Environment Agency is investigating how the waste got to Brazil and whether any offenses had been committed.